Karan Looks Beyond SRK?

Karan Johar and SRK remain very good friends, but in his professional life, producer KJo is clearly looking at big names beyond Khan to take his studio to the next level.

1. Emraan Hashmi

Bhatt camp’s once-blue-eyed-boy has not one, but two projects lined up with Karan. The first is Unglee along with Sanjay Dutt, while the second is a co-production with Ekta Kapoor that stars Kareena Kapoor. Both these films are far-removed from Emraan’s erotic-thriller space, and are perfectly designed to enhance his ever-increasing fanbase among the multiplex crowd.

2. Imran Khan

KJo may never direct Aamir, but he has played a significant role in shaping nephew Imran’s career. Be it I Hate Luv Storys, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu or the forthcoming Punit Malhotra romcom, Karan has always given Imran a breakout hit, when he has needed it the most.

3. Ranbir Kapoor

Though Ranbir is considered to be SRK’s successor and biggest competition in every sense of the word, Karan has been more than supportive of the young lad. From praising his performances at award functions to giving him author backed projects like Wake Up Sid and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, KJo has placed high bets on RK Jr. And rumour has it that Ranbir, with his enviable box-office record, is not too far away from bagging a Karan Johar directed venture.

4. Salman Khan

From reality shows to family functions to surprise on-set visits, KJo has been going all out to cement his friendship with the other Khan from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. While the two have always shared a good rapport, KJo has of-late made it clear that the Khan War will not damage his equation with Sallu. While there is no talk of working with him in a film yet (Sallu has expressed his willingness), if there is any filmmaker who can bring the warring Khans together in a film, it is only Karan.

5. Hrithik Roshan

In K3G, Hrithik might have played second fiddle to his superstar seniors, but last year Roshan passed the test when he gave Karan Johar a mammoth solo-hit in the form of Agneepath (a project very close to KJo’s heart). Roshan, who is one of Karan’s closest friends, is all set to get a project even bigger than Agneepath, as he is reportedly a front-runner for Johar's screen adaptation of The Amish Trilogy.

6. Akshay Kumar

Not many people know that Twinkle Khanna was Karan’s first choice for Rani’s role in KKHH. Well that plan never worked out, but Karan has collaborated with her as producer for a big-ticket venture with Akshay Kumar. During Akshay’s ascent to super-stardom, when there was some unpleasantness between SRK and him, KJo happily backed Khan (Akshay hasn't even come on KJo’s chat show yet). But looks like now both are in a comfortable space, and Kumar is all set to strike big with Dharma Productions. And going by Kumar's consistency at the box-office, he might just make Karan's studio richer by a few hundred-crores more.